The main event was held at Kekrupat, Imphal organised by the Observance Committee 20th The Great June Uprising, Unity Day – 2021. The observation was scaled down due to the prevailing situations induced by COVID-19 pandemic.
TFM Report
The 20th anniversary of the Great June Uprising, Unity Day was observed on Friday. The main event was held at Kekrupat, Imphal organised by the Observance Committee 20th The Great June Uprising, Unity Day – 2021. The observation was scaled down due to the prevailing situations induced by COVID-19 pandemic.
Many, including family members of the 18 martyrs, political leaders, student activists, local clubs, Meira Paibi groups amongst others, paid floral tributes to the memorial inside the Kekrupat complex observing SOPs. Those who were injured on that fateful day were also honoured during the observance.
On June 18, 2001, people erupted in protest against the inclusion of three words — without territorial limit — in the ceasefire agreement between GoI and the NSCN (I-M). As many as 14 people died on the day itself when CRPF personnel opened fire on the protestors. Four more died later on. On July 27, 2001, the three contentious words were removed from the agreement.
The observance committee on Friday maintained that the Government of India continues to pitch the indigenous communities of the state against each other, trying to break up the unity of Manipur.
Recalling the incident, convenor of the observance committee Khuraijam Athouba said that on June 14, 2001, GoI and the NSCN (I-M) signed a ceasefire agreement, also known as Bangkok Declaration extending the operational area to the neighbouring states of Nagaland “without territorial limit”.
The agreement was supposed to become operational from August 1, 2001, he said and added that the people of Manipur erupted in protest against the contentious three words. 18 lives were lost in the protests and the Prime Minister of India was unable to stand against the people of Manipur. But the GoI is still trying to take revenge by eradicating the indigenous peoples of the state, he added.
On the Framework Agreement signed between GoI and NSCN (I-M) on August 3, 2015, Athouba lamented that although the people of the state are demanding to make public about the agreement, it was in vain. Stating that the release by the Ministry of Information and Publicity of NSCN (IM) has allegedly maintained that the June 14, 2001 ceasefire agreement is still in effect in Manipur, Athouba said that it has disquieted the people. If this is not true then the GoI should clarify to the people of Manipur, he added.
Athouba also raised suspicion that the GoI and NSCN (I-M) might be colluding as the designated camps of the Naga outfit have not been dismantled from the hills of Manipur and the NSCN (IM) continues to collect taxes from trucks and other vehicles abound for Manipur. Maintaining that draconian Acts such as Citizenship (Amendment) Act, AFSPA, etc are designed to “completely swallow”, Athouba appealed for a united fight by all the communities of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the observance committee Pheiroijam Nando maintained that Kekrupat will inspire a sense of love for the motherland to the upcoming generations. People should never forget the role taken by the martyrs in trying to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. Stressing on the need to resolve to fight any future design to break up Manipur, Nando asserted that as long as Kekrupat exists Manipur will not break up.
Stating that some people and GoI continue to make efforts to break up the state, Nando said that although some are welcoming it, the majority of the people are against it. Many such designs have failed as the people stood unitedly and firmly against it, he added.
Nando also contended that GoI is promising “unobtainable” demands to some people and instigating them. But these people will automatically cease to exist, he added.
Vice chairman of the observance committee, Sunil Karam said that after Manipur became a part of India, the violence amongst communities has increased manifold. He said that the souls of the martyrs will rest in peace only when the people stand unitedly against any attempt to break up Manipur. If the people fail to identify the real culprit behind the enmity between communities and the sufferings, then Manipur will gradually disintegrate, he warned.
Raising concern that the Framework Agreement might affect the idea of Manipur, Sunil urged the people to remain alert. If any untoward incidents occur, then the people of the state should unitedly raise their voice to the GoI, he added.
A candlelight vigil was also held with few people at the Kekrupat memorial complex in the evening.